T.R.U. FIN3
TOP 5
Vic Carucci: Thoughts on Phins and AFCE
Just thought you guys might want to see this. New England is still the favorite to win the division.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
Miami: After sinking to the depths of the NFL in 2004, the Dolphins made some dramatic moves to become a contender once again. They made a hefty financial investment to lure Nick Saban away from LSU and onto their sidelines. Saban learned much of what he knows about coaching from working as an assistant on Bill Belichick's former Cleveland staff, so it is reasonable to expect the Dolphins to follow the model that has helped Belichick win three Super Bowls in New England. That includes a big-bodied, smart defense capable of adapting and adjusting to the opposing offense. It also includes an offense that is built upon a strong running game. The Dolphins have gone away from the smaller, quicker defense that was Dave Wannstedt's trademark, and will incorporate more 3-4 alignments in addition to the 4-3 looks the club previously used as its base.
They went into free agency to grab a potential starter at quarterback (Gus Frerotte, Minnesota), and starters at left tackle (Kevin Carter, Tennessee), outside linebacker (Donnie Spragan, Denver), free safety (Travares Tillman, Carolina), and strong safety (Tebucky Jones, New Orleans), and an offensive starter at right tackle (Stockar McDougle, Detroit). Frerotte is a highly intelligent, instinctive quarterback who will wage an intense preseason showdown with A.J. Feeley for the No. 1 spot. Carter brings the versatility of rushing the passer and stuffing the run. Spragan is big (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), strong, plays the run well and has good instincts. Tillman is an impressive athlete who has yet to make his mark as an impact player. Jones also has exceptional athletic skills, but his coverage remains a question. McDougle brings considerable size (6-6, 335 pounds) and strength, but has a tendency to lose his focus and get beaten on inside moves. Ronnie Brown, a first-round draft pick from Auburn, has a remarkable blend of power and explosiveness that should give the Dolphins the foundational running attack Saban wants -- with or without Ricky Williams, who has sought reinstatement from the NFL to return to the squad. Second-rounder Matt Roth, from Iowa, should provide some solid depth on the defensive line.
Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8670431
Just thought you guys might want to see this. New England is still the favorite to win the division.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
Miami: After sinking to the depths of the NFL in 2004, the Dolphins made some dramatic moves to become a contender once again. They made a hefty financial investment to lure Nick Saban away from LSU and onto their sidelines. Saban learned much of what he knows about coaching from working as an assistant on Bill Belichick's former Cleveland staff, so it is reasonable to expect the Dolphins to follow the model that has helped Belichick win three Super Bowls in New England. That includes a big-bodied, smart defense capable of adapting and adjusting to the opposing offense. It also includes an offense that is built upon a strong running game. The Dolphins have gone away from the smaller, quicker defense that was Dave Wannstedt's trademark, and will incorporate more 3-4 alignments in addition to the 4-3 looks the club previously used as its base.
They went into free agency to grab a potential starter at quarterback (Gus Frerotte, Minnesota), and starters at left tackle (Kevin Carter, Tennessee), outside linebacker (Donnie Spragan, Denver), free safety (Travares Tillman, Carolina), and strong safety (Tebucky Jones, New Orleans), and an offensive starter at right tackle (Stockar McDougle, Detroit). Frerotte is a highly intelligent, instinctive quarterback who will wage an intense preseason showdown with A.J. Feeley for the No. 1 spot. Carter brings the versatility of rushing the passer and stuffing the run. Spragan is big (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), strong, plays the run well and has good instincts. Tillman is an impressive athlete who has yet to make his mark as an impact player. Jones also has exceptional athletic skills, but his coverage remains a question. McDougle brings considerable size (6-6, 335 pounds) and strength, but has a tendency to lose his focus and get beaten on inside moves. Ronnie Brown, a first-round draft pick from Auburn, has a remarkable blend of power and explosiveness that should give the Dolphins the foundational running attack Saban wants -- with or without Ricky Williams, who has sought reinstatement from the NFL to return to the squad. Second-rounder Matt Roth, from Iowa, should provide some solid depth on the defensive line.
Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8670431